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Mixing & Blending

Vertical Cone Orbiting Screw Mixers
These conical mixers are designed for processing all types of powders, pastes, slurries, granules, pellets, and other materials in the pharmaceutical, food, chemical, and many other industries, delivering the greatest flexibility for the most diverse types of products to be mixed or dried. Typical tasks such as mixing/blending, liquid or gas injection into the batch, and drying can be carried out with absolute precision. It is also possible to perform multiple automated processing tasks simultaneously in a single piece of equipment in a fully safe and enclosed vessel. Bolz-Summix, Swedesboro, NJ 856-241-9970 www.bolz-summix.com

Zone Blender
The ProBlend zone blender is designed for blending or homogenizing free-flowing bulk material within a hopper or silo. With its special geometric shape, the compact and simple zone blender provides multiple flow zones in which the material can pass through at different velocities and residence times. As a result, the discharged material contains a uniformed blend of material from the hopper or silo. The blender uses a combination of mass flow with funnel flow to help homogenize the blend and reduce the effect of segregation in batch or continuous systems. K-Tron Process Group/K-Tron Premier, Salina, KS 785-825-1611 www.ktron.com

Mixers and Blenders
APEC’s mixing and blending technology combines fast and gentle mixing with precise measurement and advanced automation techniques, to assure a consistent and accurate mix. Units are available in a variety of sizes in mild or stainless steel with standard or food grade construction. Ribbon mixers use a double ribbon agitator mounted with solid spokes to a solid shaft to simplify maintenance and are available in both slide gate and drop bottom designs. Continuous blenders offer low RPM low shear and are extremely gentle on extruded or pelleted products. APEC USA, Lake Odessa, MI 616-374-1000 www.apecusa.com

Pneumatic Blenders
Pneumatic blending is one of the quickest, cleanest, and most efficient methods to obtain homogenous batches of powdered, granular, or abrasive materials in transporters, atmospheric bins, or storage silos. These pneumatic blenders are equipped with six or 12 wear-resistant aerators mounted around a housing cone. These aerators inject gentle blasts of compressed air into the center of an unblended batch at various angles to gently lift the materials upward and outward until the blending target is achieved. Built with few moving parts, the blenders have long service lives and require minimal maintenance. Nol-Tec Systems Inc., Lino Lakes, MN 651-780-8600 www.nol-tec.com

Gravimetric Batch Blender Retrofit
Gravimetric batch blenders are designed to optimize short-term blend homogeneity through enhanced mixing. Older models of gravimetric batch blenders continue to produce high-quality products with long-lasting mechanics, but should be upgraded to perform at their maximum potential. With existing controls at the end of their life, Process Control Corp. has developed a new upgrade for its original gravimetric batch blender. Customers can retrofit original Autobatch gravimetric batch blenders with this advanced control system. The non-proprietary controller is an off-the-shelf solution that insures ease of use and quick startups. The controls are further simplified with a user-friendly, color touch-screen that provides ease of navigation through the software’s many features. Process Control Corp., Atlanta, GA 770-449-8810 www.process-control.com

Continuous Blender
The Vibra blender utilizes a combination of a rotating paddle and material fluidization to blend dry solids with the ease of liquids. Gentle controlled vibration of the mixing trough fluidizes ingredients on entry where a cut and fold mixing rotor provides agitation. Material flows through the blender by gravity, making it completely self regulating to changes of infeed rate. The unit’s simple, rugged design offers dust-tight operation, easy clean out, and years of maintenance-free operation. The blenders are available in capacities up to 1500 cu ft/hr. Vibra Screw Inc., Totowa, NJ 973-256-7410 www.vibrascrew.com

Sanitary Rotary Batch Mixer
The 700-TH-40-SS sanitary rotary batch mixer gently blends batches of ingredients in parts down to one per million with 100% uniformity in less than three minutes, evacuates 100% of the batch, and sanitizes rapidly with no tools. It has a useable capacity of 40 cu ft and is equally effective blending 100 down to 5 percent of rated capacity. Intended for 3-A, USDA, and contamination-sensitive industrial applications, and/or frequent product changeovers, the mixer features stainless contact surfaces, continuous polished welds, external removable seals, and a CIP vessel cleaning nozzle. It is equipped with a spray line for liquid additions. Munson Machinery Company, Inc., Utica, NY 800-944-6644 www.munsonmachinery.com

Fluidized Zone Mixer
The Bella fluidized zone mixer achieves fast, high-capacity, low-shear, precision mixing of either dry bulk solids or liquids with solids. Regardless of particle size, shape, or density, materials are mixed with a fast, efficient, and gentle action - typical mixing times are 60 seconds or less. A weightless zone created by low-speed counter rotating shafts generates very low friction without shear. This makes it ideal for fragile products that cannot tolerate rough handling. Even flakes or spray-dried bodies remain intact. The Bella XN mixer includes twin bomb-bay door openings for fast, efficient discharging and to minimize segregation during discharge. The mixer is available in stainless steel for sanitary applications. Custom sizes, finishes, and materials of construction are available upon request. Dynamic Air Inc., St. Paul, MN 651-484-2900 www.dynamicair.com

Split Shaft Seals for Vertical Shaft Vacuum Mixers
MECO offers its custom OFS (outside face seal), a patented single-face seal design for use on top-entry vacuum mixers. Many of these lack lower bearings and leak due to radial shaft misalignment, inaccessibility, flotation, or thermal growth. Unlike packed glands, the OFS can handle both axial shaft motion and 6 mm or more of shaft run-out, allowing it to contain a high degree of vacuum as well as process vapors. This can reduce process time and save energy. The OFS works in high-temperature processes, though it uses no purge or flush system. The seals are available fully-split for quick installation, without removing the bearing or lifting the drive. Woodex Bearing Company, Inc., Georgetown, ME 800-526-8800 207-371-2210 www.mecoseal.com

Mixing & Dispersion System
This mixing and dispersion system combines a high-shear mixer and a specially designed PowerMix for use in manufacturing fine dispersions. The two mixers are mounted on a common base and connected with piping to allow continuous circulation of materials until the desired dispersion is achieved. A built-in control panel permits fine control of all agitator speeds, amperage, and run times. Software is available to insure that the desired results are achieved repeatedly, batch after batch. The PowerMix includes two hi-viscosity planetary stirrers, two high-speed dispersers, and a scraper to wipe the sides of the vessel. The variable speed (11-110 rpm) planetary blades are driven by a 1½-HP motor and the variable speed (900-9000 rpm) high-speed dispersers by a 3-HP motor. Charles Ross and Son Co., Hauppauge, NY 800-243-7677 www.mixers.com

Gravimetric Blender
The WSB 260R4 blender has six hopper bins, including two large ones for natural resin and regrind and four minor-ingredient bins that are removable for fast color and additive changes and easy cleanout. While materials in the large bins are dispensed by means of slide gates like those in many other Maguire blenders, additive dispensing is carried out with vertical valves, which provide a high degree of accuracy when dosing minor ingredients. The new blender accommodates process throughputs up to 900 lb/hr, more than double the maximum throughput for the next-largest Maguire blender equipped with removable hopper bins. Maguire Products Inc., Aston, PA 610-459-4300 www.maguire.com

Laboratory Batch Mixer
The MLH laboratory batch mixer is ideal for small-scale production. It consists of a stand-alone drive unit with incorporated frequency inverter, an easily replaceable horizontal mixing shaft supported at the drive end only, and an easily replaceable, revolving mixing vessel complete with inlet/outlet. The mixer operates on the principle of a mechanically generated fluid bed. The mixer can be used for applications in the plastics, animal feed, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, chemical, and other fields. WAMGROUP S.p.A., Cavezzo, Italy +39 0535 61 81 www.wamgroup.com

Mixers & Blenders
This full range of Gardner mixers and blenders features the Easy-Clean cantilever shaft. The cantilever design agitator shaft eliminates one set of bearings and seals at the non-drive end of the shaft. This, along with the full diameter hinged and safety, interlocked door improves access for cleaning and hygiene. The completely contained mixing media provides an ideal environment for dry, semi-dry, or moist powder applications. These mixers and blenders are available in various designs with a choice of plough, paddle, or interrupted spiral agitators. Kemutec, Bristol, PA 215-788-8013 www.KemutecUSA.com

Continuous Gravity Blender
The engineering of the Random Flow gravity blending system delivers increased capacity, productivity, and savings by decreasing power consumption, maintenance, dust, capital costs, kiln fuel consumption, and air flow. The simple design of the blending system achieves accepted blending efficiencies for dry, pulverized, free-flowing particles, saving time and money. The FRF system minimizes costly mechanical power requirements by using the “free” power of gravity for a variety of blending applications. The Random Flow system can reduce power consumption from 2.0 kWh/metric ton of material to as low as 0.07 kWh/metric ton. FLSmidth, Bethlehem, PA 610-264-6800 www.flsmidth.com

Continuous Loss-in-Weight Blender
The AccuMeter Series is designed to blend a wide range of materials in continuous extrusion applications and offers a more homogenous blend than batch-type blenders, feeders, or mixers. The feeders are mounted on precision load cells, continuously weighing the output of each component. The material flow is constantly monitored; any changes in properties such as bulk density, pellet size, etc., are compensated for, and have no effect on the accuracy of the blended material. This system will improve overall product quality and reduce material usage caused by over-feeding, resulting in reduced product costs. Colortronic North America Inc., Flint, MI 810-720-7300 www.colortronicna.com

Batch Mixers
Spice culture and creation has evolved into delicate blending of a complex array of powders, granules, oils, and extracts. It involves the difficult requirements of blending delicate spices with the correct amount of additives, coupled with the process to be duplicated time and time again. Often liquids such as oils or extracts have to be added with varying ingredients, either in color, shape, or size, yet must be perfectly homogenized. In some circumstances the blended products may need to be heated or cooled within this same process. The photo shows a 27-cu-ft-capacity batch mixer installed in a spice mill for similar application. MAP Div., WAM Inc., Fort Worth, TX 817-232-2678 www.mapmixers.com

Sanitary Blender
This sanitary Model JVB-8000 Vee blender blends various powder ingredients for the production of vitamins and supplements. The 8000-l blender is constructed in 316 stainless steel and includes a pneumatically actuated discharge valve with inflatable seat, radio frequency proximity switches to sense position of the loading ports, and a radio frequency level probe to monitor fill level. The blender is positioned for loading or cleaning through the use of an encoder. The design of the blender increases shell strength while enhancing discharge and cleanability. Vee and double cone blenders and dryers can be supplied from 8 to 8000-l and include jackets for heating/cooling, intensifier bars for deagglomeration and liquid addition, vacuum outlet with filter housing, as well as various types of charging and discharging systems. Jaygo Inc., Union, NJ 908-688-3600 www.jaygoinc.com

Bulk Material Blending System
This fully automated, self-contained, bulk material mixing system blends a combination of five, highly caustic, free-flowing powdered additives with a sluggish flowing, high dusting base ingredient. The base ingredient is automatically introduced into the system from a single, 64-cu-ft surge hopper that feeds either of two horizontal screw conveyors, depending on the blend recipe and the material requirements of downstream packaging operations. The caustic, free-flowing additives, previously manually added to the process, are input to the system using five Lift-and-Seal drum dumpers. National Bulk Equipment Inc., Holland, MI 616-399-2220 www.nbe-inc.com

Custom Designed Dual Mixer Batch Blending System
This mixing and blending system consists of two mixers: one vertical mixer equipped with a shredder and agitator plus a liquid tank for blending proprietary ingredients with a liquid binder that is then pumped into a 100-cu-ft horizontal, paddle-style mixer with other ingredients to form the product consistency, which is discharged into an extruder for further processing. The key to the system is the advanced controls that allow the operator to measure and monitor the materials during each batch mixing cycle. Marion Mixers, Marion, IA 319-377-6371 www.marionmixers.com